Chapter 112 Asked the Wrong Person
"You can ask me anything, and if I know the answer, I'll tell you," Steven said, treating her like family for a long time now.
Quinn felt a wave of relief wash over her. "Why did you pick me to be your granddaughter-in-law? Surely there were better options?"
"No way!" Steven shook his head vigorously. "Quinn, you weren't chosen by comparing you to others. You were the only choice. It had to be you, no one else. Got it?"
Quinn looked puzzled. "Grandpa, I don't get it."
Steven started explaining patiently, "Five years ago, I saw a fortune teller. This guy did a reading on Carl's future wife. I didn't say a word, but the master..."
As Steven spoke, Quinn's mind drifted back to a time when her classmates were either job hunting or enhancing their resumes. Having applied to Elegance Group with no response, Quinn took a job at Three Days Cafe. With a habit of morning runs since college, she rose early that day for a jog. While in the park, she heard a robbery and pursued the thief.
Later, she saw Steven on the other side, and together they caught the robber. After the police took the guy away, Steven fainted, and she took him to the hospital. That was their first meeting.
"Quinn, do you believe in fate?" Steven asked, looking at her warmly. "You were meant to be Carl's wife. Your joining the Ward family is a blessing, bringing us good fortune."
"Grandpa!" Quinn knew her modest background, and Steven's words were meant to comfort her. "Marrying Carl, I just want to live a good life with him, to love and care for him. I'll do my best to be a good wife."
"Quinn, you're a good kid. Now there's one more person in this world who loves Carl," Steven said, relieved.
Quinn asked, "Grandpa, I have another question. It's about Carl."
Steven gently patted her head. "Quinn, go ahead."
Quinn said, "Grandpa, I just want to know, since Carl is closest to you, do you know how he got the burn on his hand?"
Steven frowned. "What injury? Carl got hurt? When did this happen? Why didn't he tell me?"
Quinn was shocked that Carl's arm injury was quite severe, and Steven was unaware.
"Quinn, tell me, what exactly happened?" Steven's face was full of worry.
Quinn realized she might have asked the wrong person. She should have asked Carl directly.
She thought, 'Oh no.'
If Carl found out, he already had no feelings for her, and now she caused trouble for him. His feelings for her might turn from indifference to hatred.
Quinn said, "Grandpa, don't worry. It's nothing serious. He just had a bit of an allergic reaction a few days ago, but he's completely fine now. You don't need to worry."
Steven didn't buy her story, but Quinn stuck to it, making him even more worried.
Soon, the car pulled up at the entrance of Maplewood Heights Estates.
"Grandpa, thanks for the ride. I'll head in now!" Quinn said, waving goodbye to Steven.
He smiled and waved back, reminding her, "Be careful, don't trip."
"Okay, I'll come back with Carl to see you on Friday." Quinn waved again before turning and walking inside.
She didn't want anyone to see her getting out of Steven's car.
Seeing Steven's serious expression in the rearview mirror, the driver felt uneasy and hesitated to drive off.
After a brief pause, Steven stated, "Drive me to Elegance Group. I must see Carl."
Only then did the driver initiate the car and set off towards Elegance Group.
In the rearview mirror, Steven's expression appeared stoic and silent, clutching his cane tightly.
Steven felt a gnawing anxiety. Carl was injured but never mentioned it to him. Judging by Quinn's reaction, Carl's injury must be serious.
The key point was that he knew nothing about it, which made him anxious.
When the car arrived at Elegance Group, Steven had never been there before, so the security guard at the entrance stepped forward to stop them.
The driver took out a work ID, and the guard wisely stepped back.
In the lobby, using the same method, the lobby manager immediately tensed up. "Mr. Steven Ward, I'll take you to see Mr. Carl Ward!"
Steven accompanied the lobby manager into the CEO's private elevator, showing no interest in inspecting the company.
Despite relinquishing control to Carl, his presence still commanded an intimidating aura.
Starting a business was not easy, but maintaining it was even harder. Steven had led the Ward family through its toughest times, creating one of its peaks.
The other peak was Carl leading the Ward family and the group to further achievements nationally and globally, continuously moving forward.
Back home, Quinn was torn with inner conflict, surprised by the extent of Carl's injury and unable to fathom his grandfather's ignorance.
Getting hurt so young, he had endured it all alone without anyone to care for him, take him to the hospital, or treat his wounds.
Quinn was kind. Just thinking about it made her feel it was a painful memory, a disaster. How did young Carl endure year after year?
And why did he get hurt again later? Was he trying to remind himself of something?
Judging by the first time she saw the scars, Carl's first injury must have been before he was eight years old. The exact age was hard to determine due to the numerous scars.
Thinking further, Carl's cold personality today was shaped step by step by his experiences. No wonder he didn't know how to love; he had never received it.
Thinking of this, Quinn felt regretful.
Carl had grown accustomed to self-reliance, shouldering burdens alone for years. Quinn hoped Steven wouldn't shatter this fragile balance, fearing Carl's potential resentment towards her.